A decision on the marketing of GA21 maize seed for commercial cultivation will be taken in due course at European Union (EU) level, under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The Government will take a view on whether or not to support EU authorisation on the basis of the scientific evidence on the potential impact on human health and the environment. Ministers will receive independent expert advice on this from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.

If GA21 maize were to receive EU clearance under the GM-related controls, it could not be grown in the UK in association with Roundup herbicide unless that specific use of Roundup is permitted under the legislation on plant protection products. As yet no application has been made for authorisation to use Roundup on GA21.

Authorisation holders for plant protection products are required to report any information relating to the development of resistance, and in the UK we have a Weed Resistance Action Group which is producing practical guidelines for resistance management and monitoring new developments in resistance. The Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive also commissions research on this topic.

Roundup (containing the active substance glyphosate) is regulated in the UK by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The operation of the regulation is underpinned in Great Britain by the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2011 and in Northern Ireland by the Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Authorisations for the use of Roundup are supported by data that indicate that residues (of glyphosate) expected to arise in foods or feedstuffs as a result of that use are within acceptable levels. The assessment takes into account residues that may arise in animals intended for human consumption as a result of eating treated feed.

Maximum residue levels (MRLs) are set for foods marketed in the EU, including foods imported from third countries, reflecting the highest amount of residues expected to arise from the authorised use of pesticides. It is the responsibility of those putting food and feed into the supply chain to ensure that they comply with MRLs. Those set for glyphosate in cereals and soya are as follows:

Imported grain and soya have not been tested for residues under the UK’s monitoring programme for pesticide residues. However, grain grown in the UK and food products that contain wheat or soya from any country of origin and are available to UK consumers are included in the monitoring programme and are tested for residues of glyphosate. Bread is tested every year, wheat flour and soya products less frequently. In the past five years, no residues of glyphosate have been detected in these products at levels indicative of residues above the MRL in the unprocessed wheat or soya.